Meet The Powerhouse Women At The Helm Of Leading Ladies Magazine
Photography: Samantha Scott | Producer: Jorge Arauz | Creative Director: Stephanie White Carter | Interviews: Anja Maltav | Wardrobe: Alice + Olivia | Hair & Makeup: Arlene Cabrera | Location: Quest Workspaces, Coral Gables
JESSICA CRISTOBAL | FOUNDER
A seasoned magazine publisher with 20+ years in luxury media and more than a dozen award-winning titles in her portfolio, Jessica Cristobal has built her life around supporting women and showing up fully. In addition to helming Leading Ladies Magazine, she is the Founder of Leading Ladies League, moving seamlessly between signature events and community purpose, with a passion for pouring into youth and their futures. She serves on the Board of Voices For Children, authored The Leading Ladies Guidebook: Success Principles To Do, Be & Have Anything You Desire, and holds the title of Mrs. Florida International 2025. “I created Leading Ladies Magazine to celebrate and showcase the journeys of remarkable, dynamic and successful women,” she says. “We are limitless as humans, and we are the architects of our own destiny.”
Dress Alice + Olivia | Earrings Mignonne Gavigan Bracelet Rudy Santayana Designs | Rings Royal Design Fine Jewelry and QVC Shoes Gianvito Rossi
STEPHANIE WHITE CARTER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Spending her 30-year career curating the looks that dominate each season, transforming style into cultural moments seen by thousands, Stephanie White Carter moves beyond trend charts, favoring instead an instinct for what a body, a mood, and an occasion demand. Working across red carpets, magazine covers, fashion editorials, corporate branding and exclusive events, she approaches the wide world of fashion with precision, daring, and a bold perspective all her own. “Fashion tells the world a story about who we are,” she says. “Dress well and you will always be remembered.”
Skirt & Jacket Alice + Olivia | Blouse Louis Verdad Vintage Jewelry Royal Design Fine Jewelry, QVC and Jostens | Shoes Jimmy Choo
MONICA PARDO | DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Engineering extravagant experiences that people talk about for years, Monica Pardo is the go-to event producer for the world's most demanding clientele. Celebrities, royals, and titans of industry trust her with the celebrations that matter most. She’s built a career on turning impossible requests into unforgettable moments, transforming private estates, yachts, gardens and rooftops into fully realized fantasies for the rich and famous. Fireworks synced to orchestras, rare ingredients flown in overnight, menus designed around a single guest's childhood memory: nothing is too ambitious, nothing too extravagant. “I strive to create moments no one knew they were waiting for,” she says. “I’m interested in creating magic…the kind you can’t quite explain but never forget.”
Skirt, Jacket & Bodysuit Alice + Olivia
ESTRELLITA S. SIBILA | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
With an IQ in the top 1% of the global population, Estrellita S. Sibila has an uncanny ability to predict outcomes with the speed and precision of a supercomputer. An award-winning attorney, industry-leading strategist, creator of the RituaLux app for women and best-selling author of Goal Power: Live A Life (Em)Powered By Goals, she has been honored as a Hispanic Woman of Distinction and Mujer Legendaria, among many other accolades. Through The Sibila Family Foundation, she supports causes benefitting women, children and veterans, always on the lookout for the next great idea. “I see every opportunity as a giant puzzle waiting to be solved,” she says. “I see the big picture in my mind and enjoy the thrill of making all the pieces come together.”
Dress & Shawl Alice + Olivia | Necklace Swarovski | Diamond Ring Johari Estate | Wedding Bands Montica Jewelry | Shoes Fendi
MELANIE STERNER | VP OF GROWTH & PARTNERSHIPS
A woman of endless talents, Melanie Sterner has been a special needs educator, worked on human rights initiatives as an HR government professional, and is the Founder of Linking Forces, empowering individuals with disabilities by creating pathways to obtain meaningful, sustainable employment. She has also been a popular television host, a musical theater performer, and a cheerleader and spokesperson for a major sports team. “I thrive on connecting people, building relationships and creating positive results through authentic communication,” she says. “I’m an eternal optimist who loves spreading joy and kindness!”
Dress Alice + Olivia | Earrings Araya @ Bloom Boutique Bracelets Nordstrom | Shoes Christian Louboutin | Floral Arrangements Petal Cartel
KIM DASINGER | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Behind every seamless launch, every flawless event, every goal met without drama, there's one person quietly running the machine. As deadlines loom, schedules shift and every department needs the same answer by noon, somehow Kim Dasinger ensures everything lands exactly where it should. She turns five-alarm mornings into successful afternoons, solving problems before most even know they exist. “My secret to success lies in an instinct built through years of knowing which fires need water and which just need attention,” she says. “Chaos has a way of meeting its match if I’m nearby!”
Jacket, Pants & Blouse Alice + Olivia | Earrings Kelly Wearstler Necklace Vintage
MADELEINE BURNETT-CABALLERO | DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA
Every brand has a voice, and Madeleine Burnett-Caballero finds it, sharpens it, and puts it in front of exactly the right audience at exactly the right moment. Fluent in the fast-moving language of platforms, trends and algorithms, she turns scattered content into a cohesive story that causes people to stop scrolling. Numbers matter, but so does knowing when an occasion calls for wit, warmth, or restraint. She shines in the rare mix of creative sensibility and data-driven precision, consistently outperforming expectations. “Every post is a chance to make someone feel something real,” she says. “I love helping brands find their voice and turn it into something people genuinely connect with.”
Jacket & Shorts Alice + Olivia | Boa Vintage Original Top Garage Leggings Wolford | Earrings Roberto Coin | Necklace Tory Burch Ring Kaldrme | Boots Tahari | Floral Arrangement Petal Cartel